[time-nuts] Re. DIY atomic "resonator"

[Andre]

Hi all.

As a first step, I wanted to build a specific hydrogen line (1.420 GHz) preamp.

Seems that some fluorescent tube starters do emit a very brief burst at around 1.4 GHz

during a specific portion of the initial switch-on surge when cold and actually observed this here.


Also relevant, this same preamp can be used for GPS and if you're living in an RF proof flat

with only one good radio station its hard to get any signal.


Has anyone else either built an atomic clock around a bare Rb lamp module "core" or attempted

to make a hydrogen maser?

It would be a fascinating project to integrate SDR as these are (with modifications) very accurate

and can be used to fine tune a lot of the oscillators etc with less hassle.


Thanks, -Andre in Guernsey